The History of the Creation of the LV Board of Health

Currently, there is a Bethlehem Health Bureau and an Allentown Health Bureau. In February 2005, the Northampton County Council created the Interim Board of Health and began investigating the establishment of a Northampton County Department of Health.  Later, it was decided that the best approach would be to partner with Lehigh County and form a “bi-county health department”. This newly-formed bi-county health department would include both Northampton and Lehigh Counties and replace both the separate health bureaus. Both counties have now been meeting to determine the services and budget for the new regional health department.

 

 

Establishing a Lehigh Valley Health Department: Improving Health and Safety in Your Community

 

RenewLV and the League of Women Voters (Lehigh County and Northampton County) held the first two community forums on the topic of establishing a Lehigh Valley Health Department, in early December. These community events, titled Establishing a Lehigh Valley Health Department: Improving Health and Safety in Your Community, featured members of the Board of Health discussing the progress made thus far in drafting the staffing and services plan for the benefit of the entire Lehigh Valley. Additionally, community members and public health leaders spoke to the importance of expanding public health services to currently underserved areas within the region.

The events are free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served, thanks to the generous support of the League of Women Voters.

If you would like information about the next forum, or have any questions about the forums, feel free to contact bbujalska@renewlv.org or 484-893-1062.